4 ways psoriasis can worsen if not managed well

Some people believe that psoriasis is just a common cosmetic skin problem Many believe it is contagious making it one of the most stigmatized of all skin conditions and cannot be managed So which is itPsoriasis occurs when ones immune system is overactive and attacks healthy skin tissue causing inflammation and speeding up skin cell growth As a result the skin becomes itchy painful and scaly with inflamed red plaques patches or silvery scales These can appear across the body often on the scalp knees back or elbows Still many believe these patches cannot hurt themShrichand G Parasramani Dermatologist Anisha Clinic Mumbai said Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease which can be controlled but has no cure It can go into remission Patients and their families have several misconceptions of the disease such as it are infectious in nature and they have to live with it lifelong It affects the patients quality of life to a large extent which increases his level of stress Many patients are drawn towards alternative medicine such as Ayurveda or homoeopathy due to the failure of conventional therapy and at times high cost of treatment This leads to irregularity in treatment resulting in a flareup of the disease or treatment failure However patients must understand the importance of addressing the disease so as to avoid the progression of psoriasis and its underlying complications They must be told that with newer treatment options patients can lead an almost nearnormal lifeHere are 4 ways Psoriasis can worsen if not managedInflammation Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation Whats especially important to note is that even mild psoriasis can be a sign of significant inflammation in the body This inflammation in turn can contribute to other associated health conditionsGiven that dermatologists are the key medical experts responsible for treating psoriasis it is important to consult one to understand the condition and suitable and advanced treatment options such as biologicsIncreased risk of health complications People living with psoriasis are at a higher risk of developing associated conditions or comorbidities The most common of these is psoriatic arthritis which affects 30 per cent of psoriasis patients It is a chronic and inflammatory disease of the joints resulting in stiffness pain throbbing swelling and tenderness in joints If this is not treated longterm joint damage can resultPeople with psoriasis particularly in more severe cases are also more likely to have other inflammatory conditions including heart attack stroke type2 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease Other related health issues can also include obesity chronic obstructive pulmonary disease metabolic syndrome hypertension kidney or liver disease uveitis and sleep apneaTreatment to prevent flareups If unmanaged psoriasis can lead to plaques and scales that continue to build and spread Over time these can become quite painful causing severe itching Without adequate treatment to prevent flareups these can increase in severity and frequency This can even happen to patients who begin medication but suddenly discontinue adhering to their recommended prescriptionIts important to remember that psoriasis can be treated By adopting advanced therapies such as biologics the disease as well as flareups can be effectively managedMental health amp Quality of Life Another longterm effect of psoriasis is its effects on an individuals mental health and across ones overall quality of life Physical symptoms especially in commonly visible areas like the face or hands can lead to distress and affect ones selfesteem Psoriasis which is highly stigmatized can be isolating or even affect social relationshipsIt is also associated with psychological conditions including depression and anxiety These place an individual in a vicious cycle increased plaques can lead to anxiety or depression and such stressors act as common triggers for a psoriasis flareBy striving to address ones psoriasis while also attempting to manage stress such as through counselling or lifestyle changes or community support groups individuals may begin noticing improvements in their overall health and wellbeingWhat steps you should takeFirst and foremost consult a dermatologist Typically psoriasis can be diagnosed with a simple physical examination with the doctor taking a look at ones skin scalp and nailsOnce diagnosed adopting a holistic treatment plan depending on the severity of ones psoriasis is key If previously taking medication for psoriasis with limited effects this responsiveness to treatment may also be used to find an approach more suited to the individual especially considering recent advancements in psoriasis treatmentIt is important to remember to treat psoriasis as a chronic condition with longerterm implications as opposed to one with temporary treatment solutions The main aim of psoriasis treatment is to reduce inflammation and plaques Currently there are newer advanced and innovative treatments including biologics to safely and effectively treat and manage psoriasis These work by blocking reactions in the body that cause psoriasis and its symptomsBiologics are important treatment options particularly for people with moderatetosevere psoriasis While they may believe their condition cannot be improved or are distressed about other treatments failing biologics can have lifechanging impacts especially in controlling ones symptomsAlso ReadAdobe to launch Photoshop with option to help users prepare artwork as NFTThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever